Anuradhpura and the North-Central Province ... : progress report

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XXX V.—1891.

ARCHAOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CEYLON.

ANURADHAPURA.

THIRD PROGRESS REPORT, OCTOBER TO DECEMBER, 1890,

By H. C. P. BELL, Hsa., C.C.S.

Archeological Commissioner.
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Drderved by His Exrellencey the Gwovernvr to be Printed,

Culvumbu;:

Sy PRINTED BY H. C. COTTLE, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON.

To be purchased at the GOVERNMENT RECORD OFFICE, price with Maps, Plans, &c., Re. 1°60.

1903.

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OUTLINE FIGURES

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L Seale, +? Actual size.

ARCHAOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CEYLON.

ANURADHAPURA.

THIRD PROGRESS REPORT, OCTOBER TO DECEMBER, 1890.

THE work done during the quarter ended December 31, 1890, did not come up to expectation.
After the fall of a few showers in October jungle exploration was reduced to a minimum, in the
hope.(which has proved fallacious) that the full burst of the north-east monsoon was imminent, and
by softening the baked ground would enable excavations to be carried on with some success during
a spell of wet weather. The abnormal drought—more severe even than in 1888-89—dissipated
the reasonable anticipations of good progress in excavating, rendering this branch of the work,
with the small labour force available, tediously slow and restricted.

EXPLORATION.

2. The entire patch of jungle within Area D, bordering the west branch of the Y¥ road between
the Lankérama and the “ Tammattan-pokuna” (referred to in paragraph 7 of my last report), has now
been cleared. This tract embraces the “ Gal-gé” and three monasteries, which seem to have
demarcated the extreme limit of the Jétawanardma influence on the west—unless, indeed, they
appertain to the smaller, though more contiguous, Lankarama. Further west is low-lying land
formerly irrigable from Bulaykulam tank.

The ruins now opened out cover some ten or twelve acres. Their general ground plan can
be followed with a degree of certainty not attainable in the case of ruins exposed for years to the
mercy of the elements and man.* The possibility of arriving at a definite idea of the interior
arrangement and correlation of the several buildings, if not their respective object, is of the utmost
value in explaining and illustrating the ground plan of these early monastic premises. It is most
desirable that a regular survey of this block connecting it with the ruins in Area Y should be
undertaken soon. Meanwhile the accompanying preliminary plan, drawn by myself, may be
accepted as sufficiently accurate for the purpose of the ensuing description.T

When Mr. Burrows wrote his report in 1885 all the jungle was standing, with the exception
of a narrow strip along the path leading to the “ Gal-gé”:—

After leaving [the Outer Circular by the road passing between the “ Tammattan pokunu,” and shortly before
reaching [the “ Elephants’ pokunu” on the left, the visitor will see on his right a fine stone gateway, on the fringe
of the jungle; and about fifteen yards beyond this, on the same side, a little path leads to what is known as the
“ Gal-gé,” or stone house...... The jungle to the south and east of the “ Gal-gé” is full of ruins and enclosures,
possibly marking the site of the buildings which connected the Maha Viharé, or sacred town, with the secular part
of the city.}

* Monastery C.”

3. South of the Outer Circular road, between the west pond of the two familiarly styled
“ Tammattan-pokunu,” within their own enclosing wall, which abuts on “Monastery A” from
the north, are the remains of some seven rectangular buildings. North-west, a mere site (@') ;
in the centre, a vihdré, 16-pillared, facing east; (w) 25 ft. 8 in. by 21 ft. 10 in. with two chapels
north-east, (b!) site only, and south-east (0) 18 ft. 4 in. by 12 ft. of 12 pillars, which probably faced
inwards south and north. In the south-west corner of the monastery enclosure was a building (c),
21 ft. 9 in. by 22 ft. 3 in., on 16 pillars, of which three still stand. All the pillars were originally
7 ft. high, but most are now stumps. These buildings lie en enchelon to one another. Besides these
were two small outhouses of 8 pillars (c'), (d').

“ Monastery A.”

4. “Monastery A” covers an area of some 8 chains square, or about 6} acres of ground.
The point of junction of the northern and eastern boundaries touches the ¥ road; along the west
boundary is low land reaching to Bulankulam tank; and down the irregular south side, besides
similar land, is some rock and part of “ Monastery B.”

The outer boundary wall was constructed of two or three courses of slabs laid in double line,
back to back, and smoothed on the outside so as to give an even face, with probably an inside
filling of brick and clay. The area within the four exterior walls was then divided by double or
single stone walls into the lesser spaces required for each suite of buildings: occasionally there
were further subdivisions. The north, west, and east boundaries run straight, except for an occasional
short wangiya, or bend; but not the southern boundary, which had to follow the trend of the

high ground.

* The closeness of forest trees which have grown up amidst these and similar ruins in the vicinity prevents any
distinct conception being formed on the ground of their extent, grouping, &c. Actual counting gave an average of over
fifty trees to 100 sq. ft. of superficial area.

+ It should be noted that (except in the case of buildings ¢, d, e, f, g, in “ Monastery B,” the basements of which
were laid bare by Mr. Burrows’ excavation) the size of buildings or sites as shown in the plan represents merely the present
surface measurements, which will in nearly every case prove to be smadler by some feet than the original dimensions.

+t Burrows’ “Buried Cities,” p. 41.

91-02

2 CEYLON SESSIONAL PAPERS, 1891.

The main entrance to Monastery A on the north face was not, as would appear at first sight
by the “gateway” referred to above, but through a small portico with plain guard-stones close
outside the boundary wall to the left of the gateway, and hardly noticeable.

Approaching from the “ Tammattan-pokunu,” and passing in by the proper entrance, a street
of 24 ft. wide, defined by stones on either side, leads south. :

On the left, within its own single stone enclosure, stood (d) a large oblong building, 41 ft. 6 in.
by 83 ft. 8 in., on 48 stone piers, arranged so as to allow of a wide passage through, across, and round
the interior 24 pillars. It is into the “ compound” attached to this building that the “stone gateway”
(7 ft. 4 in. by 4 ft. 7 in.) mentioned by Mr. Burrows admits. At its west corner is a small outhouse
(e) of 8 pillars (13 ft. 2 in. by 8 ft. 10 in.).

At this point on the opposite side of the main street a by-street, 10 ft. in width, turns west at
right angles between stone walls, with coping vertical on the inner face, but ovolo outside. This
widens out after twenty-four yards to 24 ft. and joins cross walls, which doubtless enclosed the
buildings (/), (g), (2), and a mura-gé, or porch. Of the latter there is hardly a trace : it stood
immediately in front of (/).

This (/) was a building of 24 pillars, 8 in. square by 7 ft. high, flattened at the top to take the
roof beams. It now measures 35 ft. by 33 ft. 9 in., and is the second largest within the monastery
walls. To its left front is a small outhouse (g) of similar dimensions to (e).

Partially behind (/) will be noticed a stone basement (h) finely moulded, 38 ft. 8 in. in
length by 13 ft. 9 in. broad —a building unusually long in proportion to its breadth. It was
awkwardly placed with regard to (/), in all probability to avoid the necessity of passing through the
latter in order to reach it. The position of the stumps shows that its 12 pillars (5 ft. high by 8 in.
square) stood well back from the platform, reducing the size of the shrine itself—if such it was—
to 33 ft. 9 in. by 8 ft. 8 in.

The main street proceeding southwards passes, first, to the left or east of a stone foundation
23 ft. square (7), then skirts a building (j) 19 ft. 4 in, by 17 ft., on 16 pillars (now stumps), with
a landing (10 ft. by 11 ft.), steps and guard-stones. These terminals have elephent off-sets and
doratupalas shrouded by five-headed cobras.

The steps face eastwards and look on to a sprawling circular mound (x), 110 yards in present
circumference with a slope of 32 ft. Two plain guard-stones or pillars facing each other on the top
to the west are now held up in the roots of a spreading ficus, which completely encase them. The
free outcrop of brick and the shape of the mound stamp it as even more artificial than the larger
one in “ Monastery B.” Excavation alone can settle the doubt whether these were really ddgabas
or heaped up hillocks crowned by some building.

Kast of the mound, and adjoining the “Ga/l-gé,” there is a building (7) 24 ft. 6 in. by 34 ft. 6 in.
Of its 24 pillars, which are 7 ft.3 in. in height and sharply squared to 10 in., all but one remain
erect. Mr. Burrows, when examining the “ Gal-gé,” seems to have excavated its landing slab (7 ft.
8 in. by 7 ft.), steps and guard-stones, which are similar to (7), but with plain off-sets. |

Beyond (7), a8 we advance southwards, but standing back near the west boundary, are the
remnants of a building (m), which may have matched (/) in style and dimensions.

The street terminates at a literal “stone-fence ”—for the stones are put in endwise—which ran
on to the west boundary at a wangiya, and helped to form a quadrangular enclosure for a coterie
of five buildings with a mura-gé (of which just a vestige remains above ground) at the entrance.

These five buildings are grouped in the customary manner—four smaller so-called “ chapels”
(0), (p), (g), (7), 17 to 18 ft. square and 12-pillared, ranged round a central viharé (n) of 24 columns,
3) ft. in length by 26 ft. broad, which faces north.”

Outside this inner enclosure, right and left, are four more annexes (s), (¢), (w), (v) of the same
dimensions as the “chapels,” balancing one another and evidently connected with the central five.

Between the two (s), (wv), on the right and the west outer boundary, was dug the large
pokuna, which furnished the main water supply for the monastery. Originally oblong in shape,
43 yards in length by 25 yards broad, and banked up with cut stone on three sides (natural rock
forms its west bank), its depth must have been considerable when filled to the level of the flight of
steps down to the water which was on the east.

Near the pokuna there is an outhouse, 8 ft. 6 in. square, in the south-west boundary corner,
and (w) a building, 21 ft. 6 in. square, projecting beyond the regular line of wall surrounding the
Monastery. A mutra-gala lying near (wv) explains itself.

Finally, south of (q), outside the boundary limit of “ Monastery A,” though hanging off it,
within its own single wall, is a building (x) 25 ft. by 17 ft. with 24 slender (6 in.) pillar stumps.

2. Such is a bare record of the number and dimensions of the several ruins within Monas-
teries “C” and “A” as they now exist, three to four feet above their original and true ground level.

To the fact of its position at the furthermost outskirts of the Jétawanarama purview westwards
is solely due the comparatively fair preservation of the boundaries and building of these monasteries
from the reckless spoliation of more accessible ‘‘ quarries.”

Basements and steps lie buried awaiting excavation. If inscription slabs exist (and the
experience of the “stone canopy ” leaves little doubt on that score) they too must be sought for
beneath the surface. Until some inscription is unearthed, and the monastery systematically
excavated, it would be idle to speculate as to its actual age.

Unfortunately, from insufficiency of laboar to detach for the purpose from work already in
hand, the excavation of this desirable site, as of many others, will have to stand over sine die.

The * Gal-gé” Rock.

6. Stretching along the east face of ‘‘ Monastery A” (perhaps defining its limit on this side)
lies the bare whale-shaped outcrop of gneissoid rock usually styled the “ Gal-gé” or “ rock-house.”’

A few yards from its north extremity and some only twenty yards from the east boundary
of “ Monastery A” are the ruins of a fair-sized viharé (a) 35 ft. by 26 ft. Of its 24 smoothed pillars
(8 ft. 3 in. in height by 10 in. square) eleven are still erect. The landing stone—a slab 12 ft. by
8 ft. 3. in.—has been robbed of its steps and one of the balustrades, and suffered further maltreatment

* Two heaps of pillar fragments deliberately wedged from their bases and ready for removal to serve as ashlar for
culverts, lie, as found, near (m) and (7).

ARCH AOLOGICAL SURVEY. 3

by the displacement of the left terminal and the moonstone. The guard-stones are janitors under
seven-hooded cobras with off-sets shaped into engaged pilasters bearing up kneeling elephants.

The usual three squatting dwarfs carved on the stairway risers of this type of viharé appear
on the landing slab, but cut to a smaller scale than ordinary—a diminution of design followed out
in the moonstone. The platform of the viharé was of moulded brickwork faced with chunam, the
vestibule alone being revetted with wrought stone. Let into the landing stone, in this as in other
similar viharés, were two pillars (here 7 in. square) for the support of its roof. Between them
and a low upper basement 3 ft. 4 in. by 10 in., carved with vases and flanking the doorway, were
sedilia 5 ft.6 in. by 1 ft. 7in. The viharé looks east.

7.. Immediately in front of it a low mound under trees close to the Y road attracted my
attention. When cleared of jungle a small portion of plastered brickwork resembling the thigh of
an elephant showed above ground. As the position of the mound and brick figure seemed to
promise some clue to the surrounding ruins and the unexplainable connection of the “ Gal-gé”
with them, I decided to open the mound.

A week’s excavation, which demanded great caution owing to the fragility of the rotten
brickwork, exposed the foundation of a perron of twelve projecting steps, and a brick facade doubly
recessed. The design resembles to some extent the revetment of the piazza round Ruwanweli
Dagaba. On either side of the steps above the moulded basement (2 ft. ] in. height) rose a wall
of some 4 ft. From this stood out the heads and forelegs of eight elephants—thus confirming the
original surmise—one at each angle and four fronting.

The heads of the animals had utterly collapsed, and only the greatest care in picking out the
débris prevented the fallen earth and brick from bringing away the rest of their bodies. Like the
far larger Ruwanweli elephants, these were fashioned of suitable bricks,* but more diminutive,
shaped and rounded with a thick coating of plaster, on which were worked the trappings. 'The
elephants project from the wall about 2 ft. with their feet resting on the basement coping. Above
them there was probably an upper and substantial coping ledge.

The excavation of the mound enabled a clear idea to be formed of the plan here followed in
connecting the “ Gal-gé” rock and adjacent sloping ground with the “Elephant pokuna” situated
less than 50 yards distant across the road eastwards.

In order to rise to the level of the rock the ground was levelled about 20 yards outward ;
then banked up at the sides and a long part of the front with rubble, until united to the wing basement
walls of the brick building. This had other two walls (1 ft. 4 in. thick) running out parallel with the
stairs at 7 ft. distance with probably an inward return.

Above the stone steps (three only remain) had been built a brick mandapa, or portico (b),
11 ft. 6 in. by 10 ft., with tiled roof. The doorframes at its entrance and exit were of stone.
Shapely fragments of moulded plinth and capital, dug out at the sides of the steps, leave no doubt
that at least the east facade was ornamented with false pillars of brick, 4} in. thick, octagonal and
square, standing three parts free of the wall and adapted to its indentations. A couple of steps
with simple balustrades led out of the portico to the viharé (a) described above.

In the accompanying drawing the front elevation of the mandapa has been restored with
some approximation to the original design.

8. Hitherto the only path through the jungle to the “ Gal-gé” left the Y road between this
mound and viharé (a). .

Passing through a collection of stone pillars, and a fine ruined stairway,} the path leads at once to a long
rounded. hummock of natural rock, which must have been extensively quarried in former times, as it is covered
with marks of the wedges used to break off the slabs of stone. Underneath the east [sic] side of the rock three
small chambers have been excavated and partially walled in with brick ; these were probably the cells of ascetics.
Nearly opposite is a plain patula stone, a platform with twenty-four pillars, and a well-preserved stairway.t

Besides wedge marks the rock is lined by prolonged groves, 4 to 5 in. wide, extending along
either side, and in places zig-zagging upwards from one to another. Their object is often hastily
assumed to have been as a setting for brick walls. But for this purpose they are manifestly unsuit-
able, being too narrow for the secure reception of foundation. Rather, they may have served
as means of mounting the rock, being very gradual in ascent, affording sufficient hold for a bare
foot, and obviating the necessity of cutting regular steps at frequent intervals. There are in addition
at the south end a rock stairway and other steps here and there roughly hewn.

The rock extends approximately north and south 120 yards and on the east shelves down to
a lower tier 40 ft. broad. Nowhere is it more than 25 ft. high. Some socket holes on the summit
near the edge at the north extremity seem intended for the wooden posts of an erection over a
smoothed stone bed.

In the west face, about one-third of the distance from its northern limit, is eut the “ Gal-gé”
proper. This ‘“ rock-house” or cave was prepared for its hermit priests with considerable care.
First, a slice, 34 ft. in width by 13 ft. 6 in. deep, was wedged from the rock; then a further
depth of 10 ft. smoothly scooped out in ovolo shape, the bellying roof being beautifully rounded.
Finally, a substantial wall, 2 ft. thick, of brick and puddle was probably run up to form the front
and divide the interior space into three chambers.§ The centre cell, entered by a chastely moulded
stone door (6 ft. 6 in. by 3 ft. 5 in.), is 16 ft. 7 in. in length and 8 ft. 6 in. in depth, with a maximum
height of 8 ft.9 in. At the left back corner a stone shelf was cut; on the right of the doorway is
a bed, and at the back a long seat, both fashioned of clay. This cell has two small windows, now
blocked. The two side cells are very cramped, being but 5 ft. 6 in. by 5 ft. 3 in. and 6 ft. 1 in. in
height and entered by low arches. A katavé was cut above the cells to divert the drip. In front
of them there is a rock cistern, 20 ft. by 8 ft. 6 in., hollowed from the slab rock.

There was doubtless access from the “ Gal-gé” to “Monastery A” by gateways, as its east

boundary is here undefined. The “Gal-gé” is sometimes termed “ Tanguttara Pirivena,” but on
what grounds is not apparent.

* Some are as small as 4 in. by 1 in. by 13 in.

+ Opposite to this stairway there is a half-finished moonstone, the semi-circular lines and a few devices only being
completed and others merely sketched. The workmen were possibly disturbed at their work by the invaders, and never
returned to it,

t Burrows, J. ¢., p.-41.

§ The present wall is modern.

{ CEYLON SESSIONAL PAPERS, | 1891.

“ Monastery B.”

9, At its south extremity the “ Gal-gé” rock adjoins a third monastery, probably distinct
from “ Monastery A.” So much of the ground as covered the centre viharé and its annexes, as well
as the hill behind, was opened out in 1884-85 by Mr. Burrows. But to arrive at the true external
boundaries a good deal of the jungle on the west and south had to be cut back by my coolies.

The premises are not so extensive as those of “ Monastery A.” In former times there was an
approach from the Lafikarama, which lies about a hundred yards south-east, by a stone bridge (of
which a few of the uprights are standing) thrown across a deep irrigation channel, 40 ft. in width,
This ela, which seems to have started from Bulankulam tank, after passing on the south an immense
shallow pokuna, skirts the south-east boundary of the monastery. Crossing the road in a north-
easterly direction, it then runs south of the ruins in Y; whence, doubling back and traversing the
road between the Lafikarama and the fork of the Y road, it finally loses itself in the Basawakkulam
fields.

Entering the premises from the Y road, where the culvert spans the e/a, an unimportant

building (a) of 12 piers is first met on the bank of the channel, This fronts the main viharé.
There are signs of other buildings having existed between.

To the left, in the north-east corner, is a square pokuna with a small 12-pillared building (0),
17 ft. 6 in. square, on its edge.

About the centre of the premises is placed the viharé (¢) with its four satellites (d), (e), (/),
(g) lying off the angles. Mr. Burrows had the basements of all five buildings freed of soil, and
carried out some other slight excavation on the hilly ground to the west.

About a hundred yards to the west of the Lankarama Dagaba I discovered a large viharé, which is no doubt
connected with the contiguous “ Gal-gé,’ or hermit’s cave, known as the “Sangutta Piralena.” The stone ogee
moulding and slabs which form its boundary wall and external platform are of very bold and massive workmanship ;
and the doorjambs of the entrance are represented by two huge stone slabs, measuring 10 ft. 7 in. high by 3 ft. 6 in.
wide and 44 in. thick, which are still upright and in position. The steps and moonstone have unfortunately been
removed, and I fear the neighbouring culvert on the “Outer Circular road” explains their disappearance. The
vih4ré has four attached chapels at the four corners, and there is a very large and beautiful pokuna to the south.*

Its base is square, with a broad “gangway” of smooth granite slabs running along its four sides. The moulding
and finish of the outer walls is admirable ; and the doorway is unique, being formed of two upright slabs of granite,
about 8 ft. high by 3} ft. wide and 5 in. thick, with a false pillar represented on each. There are four annexes at
the four corners with decorated stairways and ‘door guardians,” a vast pokuna to the south, and a large dagaba
(or natural hill transformed into a dégaba) on the west.

I append drawings of the ground plan, elevation, and basement moulding of this striking
vihdré. The plan is almost identica] with that of the so-called “ King’s (Maha Sen’s) Palace.” The
steps led on to a broad landing, 9 ft. 5 in. by 12 ft. 10 in., in which are inserted two columns neces-
sary to support the roof. The sedilia bear on their inner faces carved figures of lions regardant
with front paw raised and on their top lotus bosses. These semi-convex slabs impinge on the two
massive stone door wings, monoliths 8 in. thick and measuring 7 ft.10 in. in height by 3 ft.1 in.
in breadth, inclusive of the 9 in. false pillars. The door space between the slabs is 5 ft. 10 in.
Between the landing stage and the door sill is an intermediate slab 7 ft. by 1 ft. 5 in. hollowed to a

depth of 3 in.t{ Beyond the sill again is a third flag stone, 8 ft. 1 in. by 4 ft. 3 in., with moulded

sockets to take the door tenons.

The spreading coping (3 ft. 8 in. broad by 54 in. thick) of the “gangway” measures 57 ft. by
40 ft.6 in. Some of the immense slabs which form the paving are over 19 ft. in length, and must
have taxed the skill of even such adepts in stone building to adjust without flaw. The stylobate
basement is 3 ft. 10 in. in height and moulded similarly to that of the smaller shrine (2) in
“ Monastery A.”

The features of its elevation are a plain low plinth, cyma reversa, or ogee, a bold round or
“ bull’s nose” slightly flattened and stepped, with above a deep block, cyma recta, and a rectangular
coping—6 courses in all.

Upon this platform rises a second smaller basement of similar moulding but without
coping, 114 in. in height, with a shallow buttress 2 ft. 9 in. by 45 in. on either side of the vestibule.
The inner part of its top surface is slightly incised and roughed to receive the wall of substantial
bricks (each 2 ft. by 1 ft.2 in. by 9 ft.) which enclosed the viharé itself. This wall, of which
portions on the right remain, rising a few inches above the stone base and marking clearly the line
it followed, was 3 ft. thick, and inside had a low stone base 1 ft. 4 in. in breadth by 8 in. deep.

The interior space of the building was thus reduced to 49 ft. by 28 ft.3 in. The viharé was |

supported on 24 columns (half the number remain), 9 ft. in height; the outer four 1 ft. 2 in,
square, the rest 11 in., smoothly dressed and flat-topped for the stout roof beams to rest firm.

The annexed drawing well explains the plan upon which these viharés and similar buildings
were erected. None of the stone pillars except the two in the porch stood exposed to view outside
the brickwork—the exterior face of the 16 outermost pillars running flush with the inside of the
wall. ’

This applies equally to the “chapels” so styled. The four here and elsewhere were all built
alike of brick concealing stone pillars. ;

The platforms of those now under consideration, 29 ft. square, are mounted by steps 5 ft.
wide, with balustrades, guard-stones, and landing flags in proportion. The actual buildings on 16
pillars 6 ft. 6 in. in height (those at the angles 10 in. square, the rest 8 in.), average in measurement
21 ft.6 in. Two smaller pillars, 6 in. square, on either side of the steps held up the porch roofs.
At the angles of the basement outside are four additional pillars, which helped to carry the over-
hanging roofs of the building, or act as fenders.

This cluster of shrines may be taken as fairly representative of the class of fanes most
favoured in the sacred architecture of Anuradhapura.

i Fe i ne a nn nen cr anamnpai=-SaRpPaINSEAOA tse radh-i Rade SSSR NPG, aa AO RCE EET SES I SRS AE TD EIDE ARIS USS BEDI PEAE OBTT CEN IER ATR LL et ee Rp ary ae

* Sessional Paper X., 1886, p. 2.
+ Burrows’ ‘‘ Buried Cities,” p. 77. " ; ;
t Such ante-sills are not infrequent. Their true object is open to conjecture. They may have held water for

washing the feet before entering the building.

ARCH AOLOGICAL SURVEY. 4)

10. At the back of the viharé is a banked terrace, in width 34 ft., reached by steps. A boundary
_wall ran north to unite with the “ Gal-gé” and south for 30 yards along a low rocky continuation
of the gneiss strata,* turning east sharply till it meets the ela.
From the terrace a stone gateway admitted to the vast mound or small hill, to which Mr.
Burrows refers in his report :—

I also excavated the large natural rock which rises to the west of it, as I was led to infer from certain marks
at its base that it had been used for religious purposes. About half-way up it, under 8 ft. of earth, and on an
artificially levelled platform, I came across a “ meditation bed,” or hollow cut to the shape of the human body. To
the left of it, and within reach of the left hand of the devotee, is a “‘ stone rosary ”—that is to say, a series of sixteen
lines cut in the rock. The devotee felt those with his fingers, and repeated the sacred stanza for each line.t

It was here Mr. Burrows found the coin of the Emperor Theodosius :—

The discovery of sucha coin in such a place is perhaps as interesting an archeological fact as one would
wish for. Traces of Greek art and influence on Oriental ideas, through the medium of the Bactrian kingdom, are
not uncommon, at least in India. But visible proofs of intercourse with Roman Empire are infinitely more rare.
Possibly some explanation of the presence of this coin may be found in the pages of Cosmos Indicopleustes, who
gives an account of a visit paid to Ceylon by a Greek merchant (and Roman citizen) named Sopater, about one
hundred years after this coin was struck. Sopater had an audience of the king (probably Kumara Das who reigned
at Anurddhapura), and by way of proving to him the power and grandeur of Rome exhibited some of the highly
finished coinage of the Roman Empire.{

11. Behind this hill is a third elongated hump of bare rock lined and stepped after the
fashion of the “ Gal-gé.”

Area H,

12. During half of October both the Sinhalese and Tamil gangs were working in the area
marked Hf which lies immediately north of the Jétawandrama and between the paths to Pankuliya
and Galkadawala villages. It is about quarter of amile deep by one mile wide.

Through the centre of this tract a path cut by Mr. Burrows (now re-opened) strikes north-
ward for two miles to the “ Vijayarama” and “ Kiribat Vehera.”

Area H{ (taking the Outer Circular as its south base) abounds in ruins studded as thickly as
those in Y, As was to be expected, in size and frequency they diminish in proportion to their
distance from the Jétawanarama, to which establishment they probably appertained. Of these
ruins, all save those in the strip cleared along the Outer Circular are still hidden and only connected
with one another by the narrow by-paths cut by my coolies.

No description would be intelligible without a survey plan showing their actual relative
position. For the present it must suffice to class the ruins here still uncleared, generally, as plain
rectangular buildings with a large percentage of their pillars curtailed to mere stumps.

13. Between the path to the “ Vijayarama” and that to Pankuliya within Area Hf is at least a
second extensive monastery enclosed within a substantial boundary wall, besides the one touching
the Outer Circular road near the Jétawandrdma, cleared by Mr. Burrows in 1884-85.§ Adjoining
it is a large pokuna faced with dressed stones. In the case of this monastery at least the
whole of the premises will be cleared back to the boundaries when more coolies are available
for such work. The pokuna was discovered by Mr. Burrows, though his clearing did not
extend north of the Outer Circular at this point (4th mile). Its position is about a quarter of a mile
north-east of the large well-known figure of the sedent Buddha, with the newly-discovered
monastery just alluded to to its east. Mr. Burrows writes :—

Opposite to this statue a path has been cut northwards into the jungle, which leads to a magnificent pokuna,
or bathing pond. It is similar in detail to the Kuttam-pokuna, but is square instead of oblong; and the long flight
of steps, instead of standing out from, is let into, the side wall. The stone pipe which fed it rests on an upright
slab, on which is carved a grotesque Falstaffian figure in high relief, and probably was connected by a channel
with Basawakkulam tank.

A few yards to the west of this pokuna, Mr. Wrightson, of the Public Works Department, and I, having
lost our way in the jungle, stumbled across a large inscribed slab in very fair preservation. The inscription appears
to be in Tamil, but it contains a large number of letters which are uuknown to modern Tamil, nor can any of the
local Tamils understand a word of it. It may possibly be Kanarese, but a careful “squeeze” has been taken of it
for transmission to India, so the point will soon be settled. So far as I am aware, it is the only Tamil (or quasi
Tamil) inscription yet found in or near Anurddhapura. It has been removed to the Kachcheri compound for gsafe-
keeping ; but a good path has been cut to the place where it was found, in case its contents render excavation in
the neighbourhood advisable.**

14. On the left of the path to the “ Vijayardma,” and within fifty yards of the Galkadawala
village path, stretches an extension of the rock back-bone which southwards runs through the
“ Gal-gé” with its connected patches to a point nearly west of the Lankdardma, and may be followed
on through Basawakkulam tank, to the rocky east fringe of Tisa-veva, Isaramuniya temple, and the
Vesagiri caves. Here are situated the cave dwellings alluded to by Mr. Burrows :—

The visitor will see a continuation of this road [W road, west branch] running northwards into the jungle ;
and proceeding some fifty yards along it, will notice on his right a jungle-path, which will conduct him to two sets
of cave dwellings. ‘The brickwork which enclosed them is gone, but the dimensions of each cell can easily be made
out. An enormous flat slab, 15 ft. in length, lies at right angles to the first cell, with a long and very ancient
inscription on it that has yet to be deciphered.t|+ On the summit of the rock at the second set of cells there are
four low altars for the reception of flower offerings plainly marking the site of some important image or relic.{}

EXCAVATION,

15, With the exception of oceasional showers, usually light, the north-east monsoon, as far as
regards Anurddhapura itself, totally failed. As a consequence, even the small amount of earthwork

*. Upon the rock are scored several figures, letters, and diagrams, many hopelessly worn. The most noticeable
are the figure of a warrior “ striking an attitude,” a kneeling woman, the svastika symbol, two “diagrams” (for games ?),
and the letters (in rock character) ya, va, sa, na, na. See drawing,

+ Sessional Paper X., p. 2, paragraph 7.

Sessional Paper X., p. 6, paragraph 20.

4 Sessional paper X., p. 5, paragraph 15. “A very interesting collection of ecclesiastical buildings for which I am
unable to find a fitting name.”

Burrows’ “ Buried Cities,” p. 77.

** Sessional Paper X., p. 3, paragraph 9.

tt A mistake. See Muller’s “ Ceylon Inscriptions,” pp. 27, 73, 109.

ti Burrows’ “ Buried Cities,” p. 75.

6 CEYLON SESSIONAL PAPERS, 1891.

practicable with my limited gang of coolies has been still further minimized. It has been found
possible to excavate, and that but partially, only one extensive site. i voag

The site selected as the most suitable from its proximity to the town, and as promising the
best results, was that embraced by the ‘ Buddhist Railing” discovered in September. The work
has presented great difficulties, and dragged a slow length along unavoidable under all the untoward
circumstances combined.*

Preliminary operations commenced by the felling and removal of some fifty large vira trees,
which alone occupied ten days.

Starting from the south-east corner, where a foot or two of the ovolo basement of the railing
showed above ground, a trench 8 ft. wide was first dug along the exterior line of the east and south
faces to a depth of 3 to 4 ft.

Near the corner of the east front a length of 20 ft. of the socle, basement, and sub-plinths
were unearthed in situ, in no way displaced, though canted back slightly. Along the rest of this face
the line of stone was found to have been removed except at the north-east corner; the south face
had hardly more stone in position ; and on carrying the excavation across the Outer Circular road
round the north and west faces, the same disappearance, except at the corners, of all but short
lengths of the two lower numbers of the railing was confirmed.

The general slope of the basement indicated that most of the railing had fallen inwards.
This proved to be the case. Nearly all the pieces of the rail have been unearthed inside
the basement, some at a depth of 8 ft. below the present surface. Sufficient has been recovered
to restore some 10 or 12 yards of the railing perfectly.

The indescribable confusion in which the fragments were found heaped one upon another,
and the almost entire wreck of the railing, leave little room for doubt that this unique relic of
Ceylon Buddhist. architecture must have perished under the ruthless destruction of those invaders
from South India, at whose door lies the mutilation and ruin of the best works of the sculptor’s
art in Anuradhapura.

The excavation, so tantalizing from its slowness, has been so far successful that the following
data may even now be postulated :—

(i.) The railing was rectangular, 140 ft. on its north and south sides and 110 ft. east
and west.

(ii.) It consisted of six members together rising to a height of 7 ft. 6 in. above ground, with
a backing of brickwork up to the bottom level of the upper plinth.

(iii.) It was quite unornamented except at the four entrances.

(iv.) The entrances partook of much of the plainness of the rails. In lieu of the lofty toran
(arches) of India with their richly carved cross rails, at the gateways stood guard-stones facing one
another and morticed to the rail at the back.

These terminals rise only 18 in. above the coping. In width 1 ft.14 in. by 5 in. thick, their
top is rounded off at a height of 5 ft. Their design displays a chaste simplicity unaffected by the
elaboration of a later age. The surface ornament is a tall lotus plant planted in a bowl-shaped vase
(differing in each pair) with single elongated stalk throwing off leaves on either side and
issuing in a full-blown flower or bud. The lines are as sharp as though just cut, though two
milleniums have possibly passed since they yielded to the graver’s chisel.

Two of these terminal stones have been dug out, quite unbroken, one on the east, the other
on the south, besides fragments of the two on the west face and a piece of one on the north.

(v.) The railing was surrounded by a triple colonnade, 10 ft. in width, of slight squared

illars.
‘ (vi.) Within the railing at a distance of 20 ft. was an inner enclosure, inside of which
stood more rows of columns; these tall and octagonal.

(vii.) Portions of a second moulded stone basement, found with a coping slightly incised on
the top to carry brickwork, belong either to this inner enclosure or to set-off vestibules.

What description of building, if any, occupied the centre, it is premature to hazard even
a guess.
: he inner side of the railing on the west and south faces and the whole of the space within
the building remains to be excavated. With my present force of coolies it will not be possible to
finish this, even should heavy rain fall, under three months; and if the drought continues, more
than double the period may be required.

16. The cost of excavation at such expenditure of time in proportion to results can hardly be
defended. If the “buried city” of Amurddhapura is to be searchingly and_ systematically
excavated within a reasonable period of time, in the face of the many adverse concomitant
conditions existing, a force ten times larger than that now employed would not be too large to cope
with the countless ruined sites—the square miles, indeed, of ruins—imbedded in solid sun-baked
débris of brick and tile held close by snaky roots. The greater portion of the ruins above ground
has, it is true, been cleared of jungle, but it were mere “summer madness” to rest on the hope of
ever identifying them from such surface measurements and the necessarily limited, almost stereo-
typed, descriptions alone possible at present. The ruins—-at least a very large proportion of them
—must be divested, speaking roughly, but within the mark, of from 4 to 5 ft. of soil before any
comprehensive grasp can be attained of their general plan, interconnection, and relative importance,
and our imperfect knowledge advanced beyond the present stage of groping conjecture.

TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY.

17. Mr. Snowden of the Survey Department left Anuradhapura in June last after surveying a
portion of the ruins in Area Y, His work has since been plotted, but is too confined and partial to
justify a fair attempt to work out the arrangement of the few ruins laid down on his plan as part
of the whole tract circumscribing the Jétawandrama. This must be deferred until the entire sweep

* So tediously protracted had progress in excavation become that it was considered necessary to lay the true state
of things plainly before Government, and seriously to recommend the entire abandonment of excavation unless it could
be carried on under considerably improved conditions. See annexure A, letter to Government, No. 125 of November
15 (17), 1890.

+ This desirable work has been suggested to the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society, Ceylon Branch, as an outlet
of expenditure from the dormant “ Excavation Fund” raised in 1884.

ARCHAOLOGICAL SURVEY. — 7

of ruins lying between “Monastery A,” near the “ Fammattan pokunu,” on the west, and the
monastery south of the sedent Buddha near the “ Kuttam pokunu,” to the east, can be at least
connected by a rough survey. All accounts of individual buildings, however full, must necessarily
be more or less tentative, being but isolated and minute portions of a complex whole awaiting
unravelment.

Messrs. Ridout and Young arrived in November after my reiterated representation to
Government that the archeological work was being rendered nugatory by the continued
delay.* Unfortunately it is doubtful whether other urgent work required by the Survey Office
will leave them free to devote uninterrupted attention to the survey of the ruins.

This delay is greatly to be regretted. It were almost better to abandon the archeological
survey entirely than dally with it. Each year will render the task more difficult and unsatisfactory.
It cannot be too strongly asseverated that both archeological and topographical survey should be
carried on pari passu and in no half-hearted spirit, if any substantial result is to be attained.

18. The topographic survey of the ruins has, me judice, hitherto partaken of an unmethodical
character which is fatal to success. It should, as I take it, be conducted upon essentially different
lines—

(i.) Ruins close to the town of which least traces remain (such as the Abhayagiriya entourage)
should be dealt with first, being more liable to “ disappear.”

(ii.) Work should proceed from the whole to parts—i.e., outer boundaries should be first fixed,
next the inner cross boundaries, finally the buildings. Ancient water-courses, roads, &c., traversing
the ruins should be laid down with as much care as the ruins themselves. Hitherto the ruins
have been surveyed with more regard to modern landmarks than their real boundaries.

(iii.) Two surveyors should, if possible, be exclusively detached for archeological work and
allowed to continue it unsuperseded so long as their health lasts. Nothing is more conducive to
indifference, delay, and error than a series of surveyors required to take up half-finished work of
this technical nature.

(iv.) One surveyor should be placed (subject to the general control of the Surveyor-General)
under the direct orders of the officer entrusted with the Archeological Survey, in order to carry
out any urgent work which cannot well await the regular detailed survey.

KADAWAT KORALE.

19. At the close of November I spent a few days in a portion of the Kadawat Koralé with
the object of revising the reading of several inscriptions partially copied by Dr. Goldschmidt and
Dr. Miiller in 1875, and examining others since discovered. The following places were visited :—

(i.) Sangili Kanadarawa.—Here is a large tank breached and under forest. A fine ancient gal-
penuma (stone-spill), 276 ft. in length by 31 broad, built of five slab courses 8 ft. in height, some stones
averaging 5 ft. 6 in. by 1 ft. 9 in. by 6 in. with short piers at intervals of 12 ft., is still in good order.

About 300 yards below the spill is an equally striking ancient stone bridge of the usual type,
recently discovered by Mr. E. R. McDonnell, Superintendent of Tanks. It comprises ten spans (not
including the abutments), varying from 11 ft. 6 in. to 6 ft. 9 in. across. The cross beams, 11 ft. 3 in.
by 1 ft. 6 in. by 11 in., rested on three uprights (the outer two tennoned), 6 ft. 5 in. above the ground
at the centre of the waterway, falling on either side to one foot. The gradual rise of the roadway,
formed of six or seven slabs, averaging 1 ft..4 in. in breadth by 8 in. thick, is well marked. Only the
end spans and one other remain perfect ; in the case of the rest uprights alone remain. The greatest
height to the roadway is at the 5th span, and is 8 ft. above the present ground level.t

About a quarter of a mile north-west is an open space, 100 ft. by 75 ft., rock, covered thinly with
earth and patches of grass. The site is known traditionally as Méligd-tenna, and there are traces
of at least five ruined buildings. The largest, 26 ft. square of 16 stout piers with a brick outhouse,
a second building of 16 pillars enclosed by single course of stone slabs, another small brick build-
ing and the quadrangle 56 ft. square of the dagaba. The surrounding jungle is said to contain
numberless pillar stumps. The ruins do not seem to possess any historical tradition, but a Tamil
inscription found on the tank bund may throw some light on its past,

The village can hardly have derived its name from the brave but infamous Sangili Raja of
Jaffna, the scourge of the Jesuit converts in the sixteenth century.

(ii.) Etaviragollewa,—The square pillar bearing on its four faces an inscription of the tenth
century (assigned to Mahindu III.) has been considerably ill-used by the villagers since it was
examined by Dr. Goldschmidt. It now lies on the side of the pin-pdra from Maha Divulveva to
Ktakada, and should be brought into Anurddhapura.

(iii.) Etakada.—There are two inscriptions at this place. The Sinhalese pillar inscription in
thick jungle is practically illegible as it stands. The thick undergrowth and trees cast so heavy
a Shade, that attempt to revise the text was hopeless. The Kérala promised to have the jungle
cleared round the pillar before I revisit Etakada.

_ Within the temple premises is a small slab (1 ft. 6 in.) engraved on all four sides with eighteen
lines of an old Tamil inscription of about the tenth century. This was copied. The old viharé
(20 ft. by 12 ft. square) has been recently restored, not injudiciously, the pose of the images being
far less forced than usual and the painting more subdued. It contains three seated and three
erect images of Buddha, besides figures of Maitri Diviya Raja and Vishnu and Saman Deviy6.

(iv.) Kidagalegama,—An old temple of some importance must have existed at this village. The
present viharé premises cover a space 69 ft. by 77 ft., and are surrounded by a single line of slabs.
10 ft. 9 in. by 1 ft. 5 in. by 1 ft. 8 in., eut to quarter round on their inner face similar to the ruined
building near the modern market in Anurddhapura. The vihéré was built on a platform of earth
32 ft. by 24 ft. cased in a stone revetment 3 ft. 4 in. high, and moulded in a repeated design. It
probably stood as at present on sixteen piers, above a flight of twelve steps with plain guard-stones,
moonstones, and helix-finished balustrades. The cunningly devised variety of the old wooden
drooping crockets of wood (gones) beneath the floor beams is very noticeable and worthy of
reproduction.

* Letter No, 93 of October 8, 1890, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
+ A photograph was taken after clearing the jungle growth hiding the bridge.

8 CEYLON SESSIONAL PAPERS, 1891.

Nagirikanda.—On the smaller of the two hills is a cave temple of the type common in the
Kandyan districts—a natural cavern artificially transformed into a shrine by clay built walls. The
interior measurement is 17 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft. 6 in. broad, with a maximum height of 8ft.8in. A
recumbent Buddha, 12 cubits in length, with other four Buddhas sedent and three erect, are the
only images.

Dr. Miiller has given versions of the texts of both the rock inscriptions on the hill overlooking
the cave temple. In both inscriptions occurs its ancient name Bamanogiriya.*

Galgirikanda,—There is an inscription cut in very bold letters on the almost horizontal
surface of the galpota. Dr. Miiller writes of it :—

_ (it) bears the name of king Batiya, but without any genealogy, so that we cannot ascertain which king of
this name is meant. The characters, however, are those of the second century, and we cannot go far wrong
us eee it to king Bhdtika Tissa II. The subject of this inscription is a grant of paddy fields which cannot be
identified.

Since it was visited by Dr. Miiller nearly half of the inscription, at its centre, has been
destroyed by fire in a senseless attempt to discover hidden treasure. Rock-cut steps and twd short
cave inscriptions further attest the antiquity of the site.

INSCRIPTIONS.

20. A separate report on all the inscriptions recently found, or previously discovered and
unread, is held over until I have the necessary clerical assistance in transcribing the texts from my
copies and in revising the translations. These old Sinhalese inscriptions even when read (and I
am not aware of a single native at present able to read the variant form of character in vogue at
different periods) greatly tax the erudition of the best scholars of the Island to arrive at a
thoroughly satisfactory rendering.

Several new pillar and slab inscriptions, mostly mutilated or greatly weather-worn, have
been discovered since the date of my First Report. The following is a bare list :—

(i.) Pillar slab, found behind the so-called “ Elephant stables,” 6 ft. by 1 ft. lin. by 74 in.; much
worn. Age, prior to fourth century A.D. Engraved on three sides: A 6 lines; BO; C 23 :

(ii.) Pillar slab, found to east of the monastery directly north of the J étawanarama, 6 ft. 5 in.

by 1 ft. by 6in. Age, prior to fourth century A.D.; partially defaced; letters on three sides: A 3

lines; B2; C1; D0.

(iii.) Pillar, broken (now mended), found near the “ Kiribat Vehera,” 6 ft. by 104 in. square
Age, early part tenth century ; king, Siri Saiga Bo, identified by Dr. Goldschmidt with Kasyapa
V. (914-31 or 937-54). Engraved on all four sides: A 19; B 21: © 20; D 17 lines; legible
throughout.

(iv.) Fragment of pillar, from some village near Madawachchi, 3 ft. 2 in. by 84 in. square;
name of king not on thispiece. Age, same as (iii.).

(v.) Fragment of pillar, also from the neighbourhood of Madawachchi, 4 ft. 3 in. by 74 in.
square; much worn. Age, late tenth century. Name of king not given ; but almost certainly a
grant of Mahindu III. ; legible where not chipped.

(vi.) Pillar (broken into four pieces, three recovered) found a mile out of Anuradhapura near
the Kurunegala road ; incomplete, 4 ft. by 85 in. Age, eleventh century ; king’s name not on the
portions left. Letters worn, but fairly legible. Inscribed on three sides : A 19 lines; B16; CO;
D7; with symbol, dog and crow. -

(vii.) Pillar found near the misnamed ‘“ Queen’s Palace.” Age, eleventh or twelfth
century ; engraved on two sides: A about 15 lines; B 0; C 0; D about 10; name of king and
whole of upper part of A, D, quite illegible.

(viii.) Slab found north of Area G between path to Pankuliya and the Malwatu-oya, 3 ft.
Sin. by 1 ft. 8hin. by 9in. Inscribed on face only, with eleven lines, the three upper virtually illegible.
Age, thirteenth century, and king (probably) Pardékrama Bahu I.

(ix.) Pillar slab from Sdngili Kanadardwa tank bund, 3 ft. 10 in. by 1 ft. 3in. by 6 in. A
Tamil inscription. Age doubtful; letters very much weathered.

STAFF.

21. Since July last I have been without a regular clerk and interpreter. The Government
Agent has generously endeavoured to help me to some extent by sparing a Kachchéri clerk to work
out of office hours. But the loan was understood to be temporary, and could not prevent the
inconvenience and difficulty attending such a make-shift arrangement.

My work in connection with inscriptions has especially suffered. Representations to Govern-
ment, coupled with an application} for the services of Mr. D. M. de Zilva Wikramasinghe, Assistant
Librarian of the Colombo Museum, resulted in that officer being seconded to work under me for a
year. The preparation of the Museum Library Catalogue seems, however, likely to detain
Mr, Wikramasinghe in Colombo into 1891.

The labour force employed, Sinhalese and Tamil, has been increased from twenty to thirty
since Octoter 27.

March, 1891. H. C. P. BELL.

* Miller, loc. cit. pp. 51, 77, 111.
+ Letter No. 109 of October 24, 1890, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary:

|

lt Oe — =

ARCHASOLOGICAL SURVEY. 9

s

ANNEXURE.
A.
The ARCH AMOLOGICAL COMMISSIONER to the Hon. the CoLoNIAL Secretary, Colombo.
No. 125. Anuradhapura, November 15 (17), 1890.

Sir,—In connection with my letter No. 90 of the 4th ultiao and your reply of the 15th idem, notifying that
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to authorize me to employ thirty free labourers for the present
quarter, I have the honour to lay the following facts before you for his Excellency’s consideration.

Of the thirty coolies employed I have continued to keep ten (Sinhalese) under their Vel-Viddéné at work in
exploring northwards and clearing jungle round any ruins discovered. Though the weather has been showery, rain
has not yet fallen so heavily, or with such persistence, as to seriously inconvenience jungle exploration. The rest
(Tamils) have been for the last month exclusively engaged in excavating the site near the Abhayagiri (actual
measureihent 140 ft. by 110 ft.), where the ‘ Buddhist Railing” was discovered in September.

Before commencing to dig it was necessary to felland remove about fifty large and tough véra trees. This
work along occupied some ten days. Since then excavation has been carried round the exterior of the railing to an
average width of 10 ft. and depth of 3 ft. to 4 ft. in order to lay bare the basement and recover the scattered mem-
bers of the railing plinths, posts, rails, and coping. Owing to the hardness of the soil (much of it fallen brickwork),

,ecessity of carrying to some distance the earth dug out, the ramifications of countless roots, and the care required
in getting out the stones and slabs intact, progress has been tediously slow.

A fair estimate of excavation in hard soil free from the obstacles above cited may be put at three-fourths of
a cube a man per diem. I calculate that my men can barely do half a cube each a day on the average. At this rate
the twenty men will only be able to excavate in the coure of a month 260 cubes, allowing 26 working days. It will
therefore take them more than two months to finish this one site; for 150 x 120 x 3 = 54,000 cubic ft. = 540
cubes. The men are working well, are regularly supervised by me, and the maximum amount of work being got
out of them.

T am anxious to start excavation at a dozen other sites almost equally promising, but am met by the insuperable
difficulty of want of labour.

I deem it my duty to point out that in my opinion it is useless proceeding with excavation under the present
conditions. The tangible result can never commensurate with the time and money spent ; and I do not hesitate
to say confidently that unless excavation on a much extended scale can be undertaken, it will be better to drop this
portion of the archeological survey altogether. That it should be held necessary to recommend the abandonment
of this, the most important part of my work, will, I think, prove the gravity of the situation.

The only alternative I can venture to suggest is that, as in Mr. Burrows’ time, a large force of prisoners
(200 would not be too many) should be put at my disposal and under my orders for the express purpose of carrying
on excavations for a year. It would naturally be undesirable to employ prisoners in exploring jungle—thus
rendering escape easy—and a small gang of hired labourers (say twenty Sinhalese, who are best adapted to this work)
would therefore still be required. ‘The completion of the Abhayagiri Dégaba and the possible suspension of work
on the Mirisawetiya leads me to hope that some such arrangement may be sanctioned,

Jt is far from my desire, in submitting the above statement and suggestion, to hamper the Government in
any way, but I feel it incumbent upon me to lay the facts plainly before you in the interest of Government, of the
present archeological survey, and, I may perhaps be allowed to add, in justice to myself, in view of the responsibility
and difficulty attaching to the work.

I am, &e.,

H, C. P, BELL.

91-02

ANNAN

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